An Update

I have been thinking a lot about all of you and I am so grateful for all of your love and GoFundMe support.

My craniotomy surgery with Dr. Lawton at the Barrow Institute in Phoenix, Arizona went very well. My cavernoma was fully removed from my mid brainstem, which means I am no longer at risk of a brain bleed that can cause seizures or a stroke. I spent 4 days, 3 nights in the ICU and then 3.5 weeks in neurorehab before returning home to Oakland on 10/29/25 upon discharge from Barrow Institute.

Back home, my vision and balance are still off post surgery and we are busy submitting referral requests for in home therapies followed by outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapies in person prior to returning to work.

Night time toileting, independence, pre-existing familial roles, understanding and patience are all very challenging for me right now. I am trying my best to be patient as my body heals and to accept the post surgery trade offs knowing that it also took time to accept the pre-surgery cavernoma symptoms. I am currently blessed to have the support of my wife Jules as my primary caregiver, my loving mother Rock Rock, my wise daughter Blake, my loving doggie Murray, and the kind support from my community of dear friends.

It is a long road ahead in terms of healing, recovery and rehabilitation and I am excited to continue to grow and grow.

Much Love,

Cord

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My Story

Hi. My name is Cord. I am a husband, girl dad, dog dad, son, friend, and educator. My wife Jules, 4 year-old daughter Blake, and I live, learn and grow together in Oakland, California. Jules and I have been doing life together for 13 years now. The past eight years - three in particular - have been very challenging due to my health. Don't get me wrong...we have been on an incredible, wild ride with ups and downs just like any family...and my health journey has made it difficult for me to show up with presence in my own life the way I deeply desire to.

In 2017 at age 29, I had a brain bleed that was followed by a sudden loss of vision in my left eye and a tremor in my dominant hand. It took years to sort out what was wrong.

In 2022, I had my first brain MRI that discovered a 22mm cerebral cavernous malformation - an abnormal cluster of small, thin-walled blood vessels that are prone to leaking - these "raspberry-like" lesions can occur anywhere in the body, but are most serious when found in the brain or spinal cord, where a bleed can cause neurological problems or a stroke.

My cavernous malformation was found in my mid-brain stem between the 3rd and 4th ventricles which controls vision and motor function. Due to the location, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked causing hydrocephalus and many significantly impactful symptoms.

My progressing symptoms in order of severity over the last two years are: daily migraine headaches, chronic fatigue, loss of vision / double vision, tremor in left hand, gradual loss of motor function on left side of body and a large impact upon my mental health manifesting in severe depression and anxiety.

In November 2025, I was in the emergency room. I woke up with a migraine that was so severe it caused a huge spike in my blood pressure and left me unable to walk without assistance. After a day in the ER, heavy headache medications and IVs for hydration, i was able to be discharged, still in pain but stable enough to sleep. These types of episodes became increasingly frequent making it difficult for me to live and work.

After these past 3 years of an unsuccessful wait and see approach that involved countless medication trials, insurance battles, symptom progression, weekly visits to the neurologist, IV infusions, hospital bills, missed family outings and distress, there is finally a plan.

After careful consideration and multiple second opinions, I am scheduled for cavernoma removal surgery (a partial craniotomy) on September 30, 2025 with Dr. Lawton at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.

This surgery carries a 92–95% success rate and offers my best chance to stop future brain bleeds and regain quality of life. Without it, I face continued decline and the risk of stroke or death.

With less than three weeks to go, my family and I are overwhelmed with emotions—hope, fear, excitement, and deep gratitude. I’m launching this GoFundMe to request financial support as we enter the unknowns of surgery, recovery, and rehabilitation.

• Surgery travel and lodging

• Lost income during recovery and rehabilitation

• Everyday expenses to keep our household afloat

Your support—whether through a donation or simply sharing this page—means the world to us and helps me focus on healing and being present for my wife Jules and our 4-year-old daughter Blake.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Peace, Love & Raspberries,

Cord Greene